Diablo 4wants to giveVessel of Hatredowners the best value for their money sosome future content will be exclusive to those who have the expansion. One of the concerns surroundingDiablo 4’s first paid DLC is that it would be a flash-in-the-pan thatlasted for a single seasonbefore everything went back to normal. Many fans felt it hard to justify purchasing the content if it was a glorified season but it turns out,Vessel of Hatred’s impact on the game will continue to be felt going forward.
Speaking toPolygon,Diablogeneral manager Rod Fergusson explained thatVessel of Hatredowners will gain access to exclusive new content in future seasons, meaning the DLC isn’t tied to Season 6. Explaining that the development team wanted to combat the feeling of an expansion being “a single moment in time,” Blizzard is ensuring thatVessel of Hatredjustifies its price. The goal is to ensure that the DLC is “valuable beyond Season 6” although insight into what this will look like has yet to be revealed.
Pivoting To Seasonal Content
One-And-Done Expansions Just Don’t Work Now
When it comes to expansions for multiplayer games, it no longer makes sense to release a single DLC that temporarily impacts the game. The shift to seasonal content means players who don’t purchase premium DLC will stillgain new loot and cosmeticsso live service games must now go above and beyond.There now needs to be a good reason to purchase an expansion, especially when its price is almost that of a new AA release; Blizzard’s emphasis on moreVessel of Hatredcontent demonstrates that it knows that.
Fergusson is correct in that expansions can often feel like momentary growth, providing a quick shot in the arm beforethe base experience returns to normal.Ensuring thatVessel of Hatredplayers get their money’s worth makes the DLC feel more like an investmentfor enthusiasts. It certainly makes it easier to justify the purchase, even if those whocan’t afford to pick it up feel excluded.
10 Coolest Armor Pieces For Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred’s Spiritborn
Diablo 4’s Spiritborn class has very unique abilities, and their armor transmogs can provide incredible looks to go along with those skills.
This Is Great News For Vessel Of Hatred Owners
As Long As Diablo 4 Remains Balanced
As encouraging as it is to seeDiablo 4do its best to provide players with a decent return on investment, I’m concerned about the precedent it sets. As long as the base game can satisfy players who can’t afford the expansions, thenI think the community will be happy with future seasons providing exclusive content. However, if that content ends up being foundational to the experience, it could very easily feel as though players are being pressured to purchase the DLC to have fun.
